Los Angeles falls for William Forsythe

Pacific Northwest Ballet's Benjamin Griffiths and Carrie Imler in a Forsythe work. Photo by Angela SterlingThe Music Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (USC Kaufman) are presenting Fall for Forsythe this month, a celebration of the work of American-born and internationally recognized choreographer William Forsythe, whose multiplatform dances transcend tradition. The public is invited to attend a number of free and ticketed events and performances ranging from dance performances by students and professional dancers, to lectures and a costume display.

 

Perhaps the ultimate highlight of the month will be the Fall for Forsythe finale on October 21-23 at The Music Center. “Celebrate Forsythe” will feature performances by Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet.

 

Also at The Music Center is “Forsythe Designed: A Costume Exhibition,” featuring costumes in Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from a number of Forsythe’s dance works. Costumes will be displayed at other various locations around the Southland as well. 

 

William Forsythe with students at USC Kaufman. Photo by Rose EichenbaumIn addition, fun site-specific performances will be presented of Forsythe’s work on October 15-16 at LACMA. The pieces will be performed by Riley Watts, Rauf “Rubberlegz” Yasit, and students from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

 

Active in the field of choreography for more than 45 years, Forsythe has been acknowledged for reorienting the practice of ballet from its identification with classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form. His deep interest in the fundamental principles of organization has led him to produce a wide range of projects including installations, film and web-based knowledge creation.

 

“We are delighted to partner with two artistic cornerstones of Los Angeles, The Music Center and LACMA, in presenting the multidimensional work of William Forsythe, an esteemed faculty member at USC,” said Robert Cutietta, dean of the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Jodie Gates, vice dean and director of USC Kaufman agreed, adding, “Bill’s presence at USC Kaufman and in L.A. is significant and inspiring; it is truly a game changer for all arts makers in the community.”

 

Rachel Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center, stated, “William Forsythe has done so much to take ballet into the 21st century by challenging the common perceptions of balletic movement and dimensionalizing the audience experience in groundbreaking ways. We are honored to join with our cultural arts partners in Los Angeles to salute and share his incredible work.”

 

Houston Ballet’s Allison Miller and Chun Wai Chan in a Forsythe work. Photo by Amitava Sarkar.Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of LACMA, echoed their enthusiasm. “This is an incredibly exciting moment for dance in Los Angeles.”

 

Forsythe’s impressive career spans work with companies around the world, including Ballet Frankfurt and Paris Opera Ballet. Most recently, he has returned to the U.S. for a significant role with USC Kaufman in Los Angeles as artistic advisor and professor of dance for the Choreographic Institute at USC Kaufman.  For Forsythe, his return to L.A. is both a homecoming and an opportunity to further the creativity and talent found in the city.

 

“Los Angeles is a very can-do environment, and if you have a good idea, it can be realized here,” Forsythe said. “I am very happy as the new guy on the block to share a little slice of the balletic work that I have been doing over the last 40 years, some of which has not been available for viewing here in Los Angeles.”

 

Fall for Forsythe is an invitation to understand dance as a 21st century art form through the works of one the world’s most revered choreographers. In a series of interactive events, this multi-venue engagement encourages audiences to explore new ways of viewing and understanding motion. For more information and tickets, visit www.musiccenter.org.

 

Photo (top): Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Benjamin Griffiths and Carrie Imler in a Forsythe work. Photo by Angela Sterling. Photo (left): William Forsythe with students at USC Kaufman. Photo by Rose Eichenbaum. Photo (right): Houston Ballet’s Allison Miller and Chun Wai Chan in a Forsythe work. Photo by Amitava Sarkar.